German Negation - Nicht or Kein
To make negative statements in German, you use 'nicht' (not) or 'kein' (no/not a). Knowing when to use which is important for clear communication.
'Kein' is used with nouns (no book, not a student), while 'nicht' is used with verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech.
This lesson will help you understand the difference and use negation correctly in German sentences.
Explanation
Use 'kein' (kein, keine, kein) when negating nouns with indefinite articles or no article. 'Kein' declines like 'ein': kein (masculine/neuter), keine (feminine/plural).
Use 'nicht' to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and nouns with definite articles. 'Nicht' usually comes at the end of the sentence or before the element it negates.
Examples: 'Ich habe kein Auto' (I have no car), 'Ich habe nicht das Auto' (I don't have the car), 'Ich bin nicht müde' (I am not tired).
'Kein' replaces 'ein' in negative sentences: 'Ich habe ein Buch' → 'Ich habe kein Buch' (I have a book → I have no book).
Kein Declension
| Gender | Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | kein | Ich habe keinen Hund. | I have no dog. |
| Feminine | keine | Ich habe keine Katze. | I have no cat. |
| Neuter | kein | Ich habe kein Auto. | I have no car. |
| Plural | keine | Ich habe keine Bücher. | I have no books. |
Position of Nicht
'Nicht' usually comes at the end of the sentence: 'Ich lerne nicht' (I don't learn).
When negating a specific element, 'nicht' comes before it: 'Ich lerne nicht Deutsch' (I don't learn German - emphasizing what you don't learn).
With separable verbs, 'nicht' comes before the prefix: 'Ich komme nicht an' (I don't arrive).
With time expressions, 'nicht' comes before them: 'Ich komme nicht heute' (I don't come today).
Ich bin nicht müde.
I am not tired.
Ich lerne nicht Deutsch.
I don't learn German.
Ich komme nicht an.
I don't arrive.
Ich gehe nicht heute.
I don't go today.
Das ist nicht mein Buch.
That is not my book.
Er spricht nicht gut.
He doesn't speak well.
Examples
Ich habe kein Auto.
I have no car.
Ich habe keine Zeit.
I have no time.
Ich bin nicht müde.
I am not tired.
Ich lerne nicht.
I don't learn.
Er hat keinen Hund.
He has no dog.
Wir haben keine Bücher.
We have no books.
Sie ist nicht hier.
She is not here.
Ich komme nicht mit.
I don't come along.
Das ist nicht mein Buch.
That is not my book.
Ich habe nicht das Auto.
I don't have the car.
Common Mistakes
Ich habe nicht ein Auto
Ich habe kein Auto
Use 'kein' instead of 'nicht ein' when negating nouns with indefinite articles.
Ich bin nicht Student
Ich bin kein Student
With professions and nouns after 'sein', use 'kein', not 'nicht'.
Ich habe kein das Auto
Ich habe nicht das Auto
With definite articles, use 'nicht', not 'kein'.
Ich lerne nicht Deutsch (when meaning 'I don't learn')
Ich lerne nicht Deutsch
Actually correct! But 'Ich lerne nicht' (without object) is more common for 'I don't learn'.
Ich komme an nicht
Ich komme nicht an
With separable verbs, 'nicht' comes before the prefix, not after.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.